One of Orange County’s best winter traditions is the local Holiday Boat Parades. Spectators flock to our coastal harbors to see festively decorated boats and homes celebrating the season. Each year, we have several boat parades in OC: Dana Point, Newport Beach, Huntington Harbour, and Yorba Linda plus the Dry Land Boat Parade held annually in Villa Park. Don’t miss out on the fun! All boat parades are free to watch.
Here are the best holiday boat parades in Orange County and a few nearby to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Harbor, CA 92663
December 18-24, 2024 | 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade lights up Newport Bay every holiday season. For over one hundred years, hundreds of boat owners have draped their boats in lights to celebrate Christmas. The event also includes fireworks and other holiday-themed festivities.
Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point Harbor, CA 92629
December 8-10, 2023 | 6:30PM
Decorated boats will light up the night at the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. The festive event is held every year to celebrate the holiday season and participants put on elaborate light displays for the opportunity to win cash prizes. Watch from the shoreline or cruise the harbor to take in the merry magic with Captain Dave’s, Dana Wharf, and the Ocean Institute.
Huntington Beach Harbor Boat Parade
Huntington Beach Harbor, CA 92649
December 9 & 10, 2023 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Huntington Harbor Boat Parade is a local tradition held every holiday season. The event is organized by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee as a way to thank the residents of Huntington Harbour for decorating their homes for all to enjoy, and is an all-volunteer effort.
Villa Park Dry Land Boat Parade
Villa Park, CA
Sunday, December 10, 2023
The Villa Park Dry Land Boat Parade is an asphalt harbor tour with over 50 vessels traveling through Villa Park. Along the way there are neighborhood parties and kids lined up eagerly waiting for candy to be tossed overboard.
For the purposes of the Dry Land Boat Parade, a “boat” is defined as anything that can be towed or driven up to 5 mph. Spectators and participants will see many forms of decorated boats and a variety of other wheeled “vehicles” such as golf carts, Segways, trucks, classic cars, surfboards, kayaks, jet skis and many more creative vehicles.
Yorba Linda Holiday Of Lights Boat Parade
East lake Village
5325 Village Center Drive
2023 TBA
The Annual Holiday Of Lights Boat Parade is hosted by the East Lake Village Community Association. The boat parade is viewable to the public from any location around the lake. There event includes food trucks in the Clubhouse Parking Lot for spectators to purchase food and drinks to enjoy before and during the parade.
Note: There is also the Lake Mission Viejo boat parade but that is open to lake residents and their guests only.
More Nearby Boat Parades
- King Harbor Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade (Redondo Beach): Saturday, December 9, 2023
- Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: Saturday, December 9, 2023
- Naples Long Beach Boat Parade: Saturday, December 16, 2023
- Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 9, 2023
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: Sunday, December 10 & Sunday, December 17, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you wear to a boat parade?
Dress in layers including a jacket. Bring gloves, a winter hat, scarf, and leggings. Wear warm shoes and socks. You will be standing outside, either on a pier, boardwalk, seawall, or beach so don’t wear heels.
What to bring to a boat parade?
Bring a camera, map of the area, cash/change, snacks, blanket, and thermos full of a hot cocoa, coffee or tea. Bring a stroller or a wagon if you have small kids.
What is a parade on water called?
Boat parades are waterway events with decorated and illuminated boats. Some of the well known water parades include Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale Boat Parade, Walt Disney World and of course the drunk Brady boat parade.
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